Page 13 - An Amateur Fireman

To this, however, 'Lish Davis made answer:

"See here, my son, you've got your living to earn, and can't afford to give up bread an' butter for the sake of
getting on to our work. We'll pay for the shines, or you don't put your nose inside this house, and as for
finding out what we do hereabout, why it's nothing but drudgery. Cleaning harnesses, setting the machines to
rights, and keeping the place neat as a new pin make up the bulk of the work. So take a nickel for every shine
you give, or out you go, never to come back."

From that hour Seth had been paid regularly, and, thanks to such patronage, he was in a great measure
independent of other customers, because there was seldom a day when he did not earn at least twenty-five
cents from Ninety-four's men.

Thus it can be understood that he was warranted in loitering near the engine-house until his patrons should be
ready for his services, and on this particular morning the first man who came out of doors found him seated on
his box, leaning against the building, whistling cheerily.

"Feeling pretty good this morning, ain't you, kid?" the fireman asked rather as a greeting than for the purpose
of gaining information, and the boy replied in a tone of perplexity:

"I ain't certain about that, Mr. Walters."

"Not sure whether you're feeling good or not?"

"No, an' that's a fact. Has Mr. Davis turned out yet?"

"Well, s'pose he has? Do you want to consult with him?"

"That's 'bout the size of it."

"He's inside with the horses; go right through."

In order that he might not be an unwelcome visitor, Seth had had sufficient good sense never to enter the
building without an express invitation or permission, and perhaps because he was thus scrupulous the men
were all the more willing to admit him.

"Hello! What's up?" 'Lish Davis asked as the boy appeared thus unannounced.

"If you ain't very busy I'd like to talk with you 'bout somethin' that's botherin' my pardner an' me a good bit
since last night."

"Fire away, lad. I reckon I've got time enough to listen to the story, unless it is in more than one chapter."

"It ain't so very long, an' I'll be quick as I can," Seth replied, and then he told, without going too much into
detail, of his trouble with Jip Collins, and of the latest threats which the boy had made, according to Sam
Barney's statement, concluding by saying:

"Now, I don't believe Jip's got sand enough to do any sich thing as settin' fire to the shed, an' it's sure he didn't
try it last night, 'cause he had every chance; but I've been thinkin' 'bout it while I was waitin' for the house to
be opened, an' it kind-er come into my mind that perhaps he might make a bluff at it."

"I wouldn't be surprised at anything some of these young villains did," 'Lish Davis said after a brief time of
reflection. "The general run of street boys get an idea into their heads, and don't stop to realize what the